Schroeder valves
The complete Schroeder Valves range for centrifugal pump protection, with advice, spare parts and repair from the exclusive Benelux agent.
Schroeder Valves: more than 70 years of centrifugal pump protection
Schroeder Valves is one of the best known names in automatic recirculation valves, the valves that keep a centrifugal pump alive when the process takes too little flow. For more than 70 years Schroeder has supplied these valves worldwide, with one clear goal: to guarantee that the minimum flow through a centrifugal pump is maintained at all times, so the pump is protected and its life is extended. The company combines a specialised focus on ARC valves and pump protection with German engineering and production.
At Dutch Valve Vision we are proud to be the official and exclusive agent of Schroeder Valves in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Our work covers the whole life of a valve. We advise on the right series for a new pump, support engineering firms during design, supply the valves, and later deliver original spare parts and organise repairs. This page gives you an overview of the brand, the product range, the sectors in which it is used and the services we provide around it.
Why does a specialised brand matter for something that looks like a single valve? Because pump protection is a niche where details decide the outcome. The bypass must deliver exactly the minimum flow the pump needs, the pressure reduction must survive years of operation, and the check function must close reliably every time the pump stops. Schroeder Valves has built its reputation on getting those details right under realistic process conditions.
One product, many names
If you search for Schroeder Valves in specifications, tender documents or maintenance systems, you will find the same product under a surprising number of names. Internationally it is called an automatic recirculation control valve, ARC valve, ARC check valve or automatic recirculation valve. Process engineers often write minimum flow valve or minimum flow recirculation valve. Maintenance departments talk about a pump protection valve or centrifugal pump protection valve. Other terms in use are bypass recirculation valve, automatic bypass valve, compensating bypass check valve, check valve with automatic bypass, combined check and bypass valve, self-actuated recirculation valve, modulating bypass check valve and multifunction pump protection valve. In Dutch plants you will hear nullastklep, nullast afsluiter, pomp omloopventiel or simply pompbeveiliging.
All of these names describe the same principle. That is useful to know when you are comparing documents from different projects or looking for a replacement of a valve that was specified decades ago. When in doubt, send us what you have and we will tell you whether it is a Schroeder Valves product and which series it belongs to.
Schroeder ARC series at a glance
Schroeder Valves is a manufacturer of automatic recirculation valves, also called ARC or minimum flow valves, that protect centrifugal pumps against damage at low flow. The company has more than 70 years of experience and offers series such as SMA, SML, SMB, SMP, HPV, SSV, SIP and SHP, plus SDV back pressure devices and SSD multi-stage throttles. Dutch Valve Vision is the official and exclusive Schroeder Valves agent for the Benelux, including original spare parts and repair.
| Series | Application |
|---|---|
| SSV | Standard, compact all-in-one design |
| SSV with control disc | High minimum flow, up to about 70% of main flow |
| SIP | Medium pressure, up to about 250 bar |
| SHP | High and very high pressure |
| SMA | ON/OFF, pilot operated |
| SDV | Back pressure device with check function |
| SSD | Multi-stage throttle for high differential pressure |
How Schroeder Valves protect a centrifugal pump
A Schroeder automatic recirculation valve is mounted on the discharge of a centrifugal pump. In the main line it acts as a check valve: a disc is lifted by the flow going to the process and closes when the pump stops, which prevents reverse flow. The position of that disc is mechanically linked to a bypass. When the process demand falls, the disc moves towards its seat and the bypass opens, returning the minimum flow to a tank or suction vessel. When the demand rises again, the bypass closes.
The valve works fully autonomously. It needs no electrical power, no sensors and no external control, and responds only to the hydraulic conditions in the system. That makes it simple, reliable and insensitive to failures in surrounding equipment. It prevents the damage that centrifugal pumps suffer at low flow: internal heating, cavitation, erosion and problems with bearings and shaft seals. The check function and the recirculation function share one housing, which saves space and simplifies the piping.
Because the valve replaces a conventional loop of flow meter, controller, control valve and separate check valve, it also reduces the number of failure points and the investment and maintenance costs over the life of the installation. We explain that comparison in detail on our automatic recirculation valve page.
The Schroeder Valves range at a glance
The Schroeder Valves programme is broad, because pumps are broad. A small process pump, a boiler feed water pump at very high pressure and a seawater fire pump all need protection, but not the same valve. Below is how we explain the range to customers.
Automatic recirculation valves for standard and high pressure
The SMA series is the standard automatic recirculation valve for general pump protection. The SML series is a compact design for smaller applications. The SMB series covers high pressure for demanding environments. The SMP series is an advanced, multifunctional valve for complex systems. The HPV series is designed for extreme operating conditions at high pressure. For situations that do not fit any standard series, Schroeder Valves also supplies custom solutions.
The ARC product line
Within the ARC product line, the SSV series is the standard, compact all-in-one valve for general industrial applications, power plants and process installations. The SSV with control disc is meant for high recirculation requirements, with a minimum flow of up to about 70 percent of the main flow. The SIP series is developed for pressures up to about 250 bar and is widely used in boiler feed water and utility systems. The SHP series covers high and very high pressures and strongly fluctuating loads. In this line SMA also stands for an ON/OFF system with pilot operated automatic minimum flow control, for fast operation at very high pressure.
Supporting pressure and flow control
Two further series complete the picture. SDV back pressure devices maintain a constant minimum upstream pressure, protect against cavitation and phase transitions and have an integrated check function. SSD multi-stage throttle valves provide controlled pressure and flow reduction, with multiport and multi-stage designs for high pressure differences and erosion sensitive applications.
Our Schroeder ARC valve page goes deeper into each of these series and how to choose between them.
Sectors and media where Schroeder Valves are used
Schroeder Valves are trusted worldwide in energy generation, chemical processing, oil and gas and water treatment. They are applied in power plants, whether fossil, nuclear or renewable, in chemical and petrochemical installations, in offshore and injection systems, in boiler feed water and auxiliary systems and in heavy industry such as steel and paper production. District heating networks and industrial water treatment, where demand fluctuates constantly, are common applications as well.
Through Dutch Valve Vision, Schroeder valves can be supplied for boiler feed water, ammonia and nitric acid (HNO3), LNG and hydrocarbons, seawater and fire fighting systems, and other special media. Each medium brings its own demands on pressure, temperature and material. Valves are available in different materials, including carbon steel and stainless steel, matched to the medium and process conditions.
These sectors match the focus of Dutch Valve Vision itself. We specialise in special valves for special services, with a strong presence in the (petro)chemical industry, energy, offshore and hydrogen. For our customers in those markets, pump protection is rarely a standalone question. It is part of a larger valve package, and having one partner who understands both the pump side and the valve side makes a real difference.
Dutch Valve Vision, official and exclusive Schroeder Valves agent
As the exclusive agent for Schroeder Valves in the Benelux we offer three things above all. First, expert advice: we help you find the best solution for your application, starting from the pump and the process rather than from a catalogue. Second, technical support for a smooth integration and optimal performance, from the first P&ID to commissioning. Third, reliable supply chain management for timely and efficient deliveries.
Our own organisation supports that role. Dutch Valve Vision works with an ISO 9001 certified quality management system, certified by KIWA, which means controlled processes, full traceability and thorough documentation. We supply to DIN and ANSI standards, so a valve fits both European and internationally specified installations. Our partners together bring more than 60 years of experience in designing and manufacturing valves for the global market.
A typical project starts with an engineer who is designing a new pump system, or with a maintenance manager whose pump keeps failing at part load. Either way, the conversation starts with the same questions: what does the pump need, how is it operated, and which Schroeder series matches that reality?
From first sketch to decades of service
It helps to follow a Schroeder valve through its life, because our role changes along the way. It usually starts on a drawing board. An engineering firm is designing a new pump system, the pump supplier has provided a data sheet with the minimum flow, and the process engineer wants to know which recirculation solution to show on the P&ID. At that stage we compare the series, check the pressure difference between the pump discharge and the return point, and help define where the bypass line should end. Choices made here determine how many instruments, cables and control valves the project needs.
Then comes procurement. The valve has to meet the project specification, the connection standard and the documentation requirements of the owner. We coordinate with Schroeder, keep an eye on the delivery schedule and make sure that what arrives on site matches what was ordered. During commissioning we remain available for questions about installation and the first start-up of the pump.
The longest phase is operation. A well selected valve does its work for years without attention from the control room, which is exactly the point of a self-actuated design. Somewhere along that path, though, maintenance becomes relevant. A seat shows wear, a spring loses its tension or a plant decides to overhaul all its critical valves during a turnaround. That is when original spare parts, upgrade kits and repair with calibration on the Schroeder test bench come into the picture. Valves that need service have often been installed long before the current maintenance team joined the company, and the nameplate is often the only document left. Starting from that nameplate, we can usually trace the series and the parts needed.
Throughout that whole cycle, you deal with one partner who knows both the product and the local market. That continuity is what we mean when we describe Dutch Valve Vision as a partner in pump protection rather than a catalogue seller.
Schroeder Valves spare parts and repair service
A Schroeder valve is built for a long service life, and keeping existing valves in top condition is just as important as supplying new ones. As official Schroeder Valves spare parts distributor we supply original parts for automatic recirculation valves and check valves: gaskets, springs, housing parts, seats and valve components. For older models, upgrade kits are available. All parts are 100 percent original with factory warranty and can be delivered quickly from European stock.
When a valve needs more than parts, Dutch Valve Vision acts as the official repair point for Schroeder Valves. Repairs are carried out with original OEM Schroeder parts only, for a perfect fit and reliable performance. After revision each valve receives a flow calibration test and a pressure test on the Schroeder test bench. If deviations are measured, the valve is readjusted until it reaches its original settings. Every repaired valve comes with a full Schroeder factory warranty, and after repair it can be regarded as new.
Starting a Schroeder Valves enquiry
For a new valve, we ask for the pump data with the minimum flow specified by the pump manufacturer, the normal and maximum process flow, the medium and its temperature, the pump discharge pressure, the pressure at the return point and the connection standard. For spare parts or repair, the nameplate details, tag number and a description of the problem are usually enough to get started.
You can reach Dutch Valve Vision at Vlotlaan 641, 2681 TZ Monster, the Netherlands, by phone on +31 (0)70-2210560 or by email at sales@dutchvalvevision.com. We are available Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00. Whether it concerns a single replacement part or a complete package of Schroeder Valves for a new plant, we are happy to help.
Frequently asked questions about schroeder valves
What is Dutch Valve Vision's role for Schroeder Valves?
Dutch Valve Vision is the official and exclusive agent of Schroeder Valves in the Benelux. That covers customers in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. We advise on the right valve for each pump and application. We provide technical support during design, installation and operation. We also handle supply chain management for timely deliveries. For existing valves we are the official spare parts distributor. We are also the official repair point for Schroeder Valves. That means you have one point of contact for the complete life of the valve.
What does Schroeder Valves make?
Schroeder Valves makes automatic recirculation valves for the protection of centrifugal pumps. These valves combine a check valve in the main line with a mechanically coupled bypass. When process demand drops, the bypass opens so the pump keeps its minimum flow. The valves work without electrical power, sensors or external control. The range includes the SMA, SML, SMB, SMP and HPV series and custom solutions. The ARC product line adds SSV, SSV with control disc, SIP, SHP and pilot operated SMA systems. SDV back pressure devices and SSD multi-stage throttle valves complete the programme. The company has more than 70 years of experience with these valves.
Which Schroeder Valves series should I choose?
The right series depends on pressure, minimum flow ratio, load pattern and medium. For general applications the SSV series or the standard SMA series are the usual starting point. Smaller applications can use the compact SML series. For high minimum flows up to about 70 percent of the main flow, the SSV with control disc is designed. The SIP series covers pressures up to about 250 bar and is common in boiler feed water. High and very high pressures lead to the SHP, SMB or HPV series. Complex systems may call for the multifunctional SMP series. We make the selection with you based on your pump and process data.
In which industries are Schroeder Valves used?
Schroeder Valves are used worldwide in energy generation, chemical processing, oil and gas and water treatment. Typical installations are fossil, nuclear and renewable power plants. Chemical and petrochemical plants use them to protect critical process pumps. Offshore and injection systems are another important field. Boiler feed water and auxiliary systems are classic applications. Heavy industry such as steel and paper production also relies on them. District heating and water treatment benefit where demand fluctuates. Media include boiler feed water, ammonia, nitric acid, LNG, hydrocarbons and seawater.
Can I buy original Schroeder spare parts through Dutch Valve Vision?
Yes, we are the official Schroeder Valves spare parts distributor for the Benelux. We supply parts for automatic recirculation valves and check valves. That includes gaskets, springs, housing parts, seats and valve components. Upgrade kits are available for older models. All parts are 100 percent original and come with factory warranty. They can be delivered quickly from European stock. Our specialists also help with technical questions during installation or selection. Send us the nameplate details and we will identify the right parts.
Can Schroeder valves be repaired?
Yes, Dutch Valve Vision is the official repair point for Schroeder Valves. Repairs are carried out with original OEM Schroeder parts only. After revision the valve receives a flow calibration test and a pressure test on the Schroeder test bench. If deviations are measured, the valve is readjusted until it reaches its original settings. Every repaired valve comes with a full Schroeder factory warranty. After repair the valve can be regarded as new. That makes repair an attractive option for valves that have served for many years. We can advise whether repair or replacement makes more sense for your valve.
Why choose a self-actuated Schroeder valve over a control loop?
A self-actuated valve replaces a flow meter, controller, control valve and separate check valve. That means fewer components and fewer failure points. There is no need for electrical power, instrument air or control software. The valve reacts directly to changes in flow, without oscillation or instability. Investment and maintenance costs are lower over the life of the installation. The pump itself suffers less wear because it always keeps its minimum flow. That reduces repairs and unplanned downtime. For many plants this is the main reason to choose Schroeder.
How do I request a quote for Schroeder Valves?
You can call us on +31 (0)70-2210560 or email sales@dutchvalvevision.com. Our office in Monster is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00. For a new valve, please send the pump data and the minimum flow required by the pump manufacturer. The normal and maximum process flow, medium, temperature and pressures are also needed. Let us know the connection standard, DIN or ANSI. For spare parts or repair, the nameplate details and tag number are usually enough. A photo of the valve and its nameplate also helps. We will come back to you with a proposal as soon as possible.
Talk to the Schroeder Valves agent
Send us your pump data, medium and pressures, or the nameplate details of an existing valve. We will come back with a series proposal, spare parts or a repair offer.
+31 (0)70-2210560 · sales@dutchvalvevision.com
Vlotlaan 641, 2681 TZ Monster · Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00